National Islands Plan Annual Report 2025

Ministerial Foreword

The Scottish Government remains steadfast in its commitment to strengthening resilience and wellbeing across all our islands.

Over the past year, we have continued to respond to the most pressing challenges facing island communities. We invested a further £1 million in the Islands Cost Crisis Emergency Fund to support households most affected by cost of living pressures. To enhance the delivery of affordable homes, we extended the Rural and Islands Housing Fund to 2028 and accelerated efforts to bring empty properties back into use. To improve equity of access for younger islanders, we introduced free inter-island ferry travel for under-22s in Orkney, Shetland and Na h-Eileanan Siar.

At the same time, we have maintained a strong focus on laying the groundwork for the long-term prosperity of our islands. We supported research and skills development, with the official opening of the Technology and Innovation Centre at UHI North, West and Hebrides’ Stornoway campus. The historic passage of the Scottish Languages Act has opened new opportunities to celebrate and build upon the cultural and economic contribution that Gaelic and Scots make to many of our island communities.

These developments, and many others, are reflected in this Annual Report – the final one under the first National Islands Plan. Since the latter’s publication in 2019, significant investments and efforts across the public sector have driven progress towards its vision and objectives.

We recognise, however, that significant challenges persist and islanders have told us very clearly that more remains to be done to ensure their needs and ambitions are met. That is why – informed by close engagement with island communities, local authorities and a diverse range of delivery partners – we have developed and published a new National Islands Plan. With a central focus on supporting population retention and attraction, the new Plan sets out targeted and tangible actions that build on – rather than duplicate – existing policies and investments, many of which were initiated under the 2019 Plan.

The publication of the new Plan is an opportunity to renew our commitment to empowering island communities – giving them a stronger voice in decisions, supporting community wealth building, and enabling local solutions – so that people can pursue their ambitions where they live, and others are encouraged to move or return to their island.

The second National Islands Plan renews our dialogue with islanders and opens a new chapter in our shared journey. Working for and with communities, we will ensure Scotland’s islands continue to thrive for generations to come.

Mairi Gougeon

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands